In 2001, you won the 6A shot put by more than three feet with a mark of 39' 5½" over Latille Ross of Opelika's 36' throw. Last year you threw very well again, but finished second to Ross at state. What accounted for the slight decrease in distance last year?
A lot of it had to do with a lack of training. The motivation I needed just wasn't there like it was my freshman year.
Since you and Latille Ross have split the past two outdoor state shot put championships, do you consider her a rival? Do you look forward to facing her again this May?
I don't consider her a rival really. I mean yes she's after the same thing I am, but to me
it's just two people competing against each other.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing Latille this May because I know we have both improved
and I think it will be fun to watch.
With your state-winning throw of 39' 4½" in indoor and an early season mark of 38' ½", it looks like you're back in your 2001 form. What have you done since last May to prepare yourself for this season?
A lot of the credit will have to go to my AAU track coach, Coach Johnson, because during the summer going into this year he helped train me and motivate me in a lot of ways. Other than that I've just tried to stay focused on what I have to do to get to the next level.
Not many women in the history of Alabama track & field have made it to the 40' mark in the shot put, but you are very close to it. Is forty feet your goal for the season, or is your goal even farther? State record, perhaps?
At this point 40 feet is what I'm determined to hit before the season is over. In a way you can say it's my goal to hit 40, but right now my mind knows I can go beyond that point if I keep working at it and improving.
As a thrower, unlike a runner, you perform by taking turns with your competitors instead of all throwing at the same time. Though you don't compete directly or simultaneously with the other throwers, does better competition bring out better throws for you?
Definetly! Having someone to compete against really brings out better throws for me because if I have someone to go back an forth with, then it pushes me to try to do my best to win.
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Though you also do well in the discus, the shot put has been your strongest event throughout high school. What about your strength or technique helps you do so much better in the shot? Honestly, I really couldn't tell you because since I started track, shot has just become a part of me. For me it's more of a mind thing. I'm just more mentally prepared for the shot. What meets will you go to this year where you hope to do especially well? I hope to do especially well in every meet I go to, but right now the focus is on Huntsville Metro. Your coach at Grissom, Randy Bunn, specializes in the throwing events and has coached many athletes to state championships in the shot put and discus. What has Coach Bunn done to make Grissom's throwing program so successful? To make you successful? |
 photo: AlabamaRunners |
Coach Bunn does what he knows how to do, and that's coach. If he sees you have potential to do big things then he'll do his best to pull it out of you. Honestly, Coach Bunn has helped with correction on my technique, but credit of my success goes to my AAU track coach and an assistant coach--(former Grissom thrower) Haley Howard's dad, who was there my freshman year.
How did you end up on the Grissom track team?
Basically, I had a friend who asked me if I would try out, so I did. I mean I wanted try out anyway, I guess I just needed the extra push.
In the past few years, the Grissom men's throwers have been exceptional. Eric Cheek and Michael Heck, for example, both won mutliple state championships in the throws and have since gone on to compete in college. What influence have the Grissom male throwers had on your career?
Beside the fact that they are two incredible athletes, they've just showed me a path that can take me to the next level. They were like little tutors who helped fix some of the wrong in my technique and gave me encouragment that I could do what they do, but as a female.
If you could change one thing about the Grissom track program, what would it be? Changing the school colors maybe?
I would definetly change the school colors! Seriously, I would like to change the respect girls track team gets from the school.
Were you an athletic child, or has your athleticism been a recent development?
I've always enjoyed sports, but as far as being an athlete, that came along my 8th grade year.
How did your parents choose the name Dominique?
As far as I know my brother had something to do with it because he was taking French, saw the name, and suggested it.
Who are some of your heroes and role models, either in athletics or life, or both?
Athletics- Thomas Garrick (my uncle) and my two brothers, William and Eric Robinson.
Life- It all goes to my grandparents, Thomas and Beatrice Garrick
At Grissom, you have a school with a lot of students, but in a city not known for having a lot to do. How do you like to spend your free time, both alone and as part of a group?
When I'm with my friends I just like to have fun to take away any worries or stress I have at the time. True, there's not a lot to do in Huntsville, but with the friends I hang around you really don't need a place to go because as long as we're together we make it fun. When its just me, I like to listen music or just relax outside on the porch.
Do you have any plans to continue your throwing career after high school?
Yes, I do plan on continuing on in college. God willing.